Oprah Winfrey’s foundation has made a $3 million donation to assist South Los Angeles residents suffering during the pandemic, as coronavirus cases continue to surge in California.
The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation made the donation to the new coalition South LA Forward, which provides fresh food, COVID-19 testing, healthcare and financial assistance to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
‘As I continue to seek out ways to support underserved communities, I was struck by the unique multi-layered approach to effect real change to the systematic barriers of access to healthy food, quality health care and educational opportunities,’ Oprah said in a statement.
Giving back: Oprah Winfrey’s foundation has made a $3 million donation to assist South Los Angeles residents suffering during the pandemic, as coronavirus cases continue to surge in California (pictured 2018)
South LA Forward is a newly launched coalition consisting of three organizations: SEE-LA, Watts Healthcare and SoLa I Can Foundation.
‘We were incredibly honored to be selected by the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation along with SEE-LA and Watts Healthcare,’ said Sherri Francois, the executive director of SoLa I Can Foundation.
‘We believe addressing economic inequality and racial injustice requires a multi-pronged approach, and are thrilled that Ms. Winfrey has taken such a holistic approach in addressing these issues,’ adds Sherri.
Oprah has been generously giving back to Americans since the early days of the pandemic.
Lending a hand: Oprah has been generously giving back to Americans since the early days of the pandemic (pictured February 2020)
Back in April, she announced she would be making a $10 million donation to support people and cities across the country.
‘I am donating $10 million overall to help Americans during this pandemic in cities across the country and in areas where I grew up,’ Oprah tweeted at the time.
‘For more on this Fund and how everyone can be of service, watch this free AppleTV+ conversation here,’ she added, along with a link to her COVID-19 talk series on Apple TV+.
Oprah said she will be committing $1 million to America’s Food Fund, whose goal it is to make sure everyone has access to food.
Doing her part: Back in April, she announced she would be making a $10 million donation to support people and cities across the country (pictured February 2020)
The fund was launched by Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs, Apple, and the Ford Foundation.
‘I believe that America’s Food Fund will be a powerful way to make a difference for our neighbors in need and am committing $1 million to this fund to support those facing food insecurity,’ she tweeted.
Though Americans are limited in the ways they can help nowadays, Oprah knows there is still a desire to give back, despite the obstacles.
Big announcement: Winfrey shared news of her donation on Twitter
Self-isolation: Last week, she revealed she and her long-time partner Stedman Graham were sleeping in separate houses after he become a higher risk due to taking numerous flights (pictured February 2015)
She added, ‘I was struck by the work these organizations are doing and while everyone’s priority right now is to stay safer at home, I know there are many of us looking for ways to help.’
On top of her $10 million donation, Oprah has been helping people get through the pandemic with her Apple TV+ series, Oprah Talks COVID-19.
‘How can we mindfully move through a crisis while holding on to ourselves and our humanity?’ reads the synopsis. ‘In this series, Oprah has remote conversations with experts and everyday people to provide insight, meaning, and tangible advice for the human spirit.’
Having an outlet: On top of her $10 million donation, Oprah has been helping people get through the pandemic with her AppleTV+ series, Oprah Talks COVID-19 (pictured August 2019)
Guests on the show have included Idris Elba, who tested positive for coronavirus, Oprah’s long-time friend Pastor Wintley Phipps, and DJ D-Nice, who has been performing sets for fans on Instagram Live during the pandemic.
Oprah has also been safely connecting with loved ones during this difficult time.
Last week, she reunited with her best friend Gayle King for the first time in months, after the CBS anchor tested negative for coronavirus.
Oprah shared the special moment they were finally able to hug, after Gayle had been quarantining in her friend’s guesthouse for 13 days.
‘After 13 and a half days quarantined in my guest house, @gayleking and her @cbsthismorning team released from Covid quarantine,’ Oprah captioned the Instagram video.
Aww! Last week, she reunited with her best friend Gayle King for the first time in months, after the CBS anchor tested negative for coronavirus